Thursday, December 31, 2009

The past couple days I have been away celebratingthe 90th birthday of my mother-in-law.It was a wonderful celebration full of joy.

JOY is the word I have selected for next year.It actually felt daunting when it first came to me.I thought maybe I would have to go to comedy clubsor read a joke of the day, but I am beginning to learnto live with it and realize it is much more.Interestingly, at the Soulstice party I went to we drew wordsfor next year out of a bowl and I drew "JOY". I had alreadydecided on the word and then it was confirmed.

"When you mix lots of happinesswith lots of sadness you get joy"Jerome Berryman

I wish for you much JOY in the New Year.I would love to know if you pick a word.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Each year as I approach the new year I choose a word for the new year.This past year's word was "Create".In thinking about the word create this year I wanted to learn one new craft in which I had to create. I actually ended up learning two new crafts, both involving glass. I will share the other glass craft another day.My friend, Teresa, has a glass studio in her basement and invited me to come and create.What great fun to create these small pendants with glass and see what came out of the kiln. The firing smooths the edges and makes something rough into something beautiful.

As I sit here I am thinking the similarities in life.As we walk through the fire we become more beautiful.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Walking the labyrinth, sharing in a time of celebration with a group
of women. Winter solstice is a time of reflection, thus in the following
writing it is called Soulstice.

December is a woman clothed in saffronsunsets with stars in her earlobes andfirelight in the palms of her hands. She'sthe dancer to the music of the spheres,the mystery behind the veil of time,soul searcher, heat seeker, safe keeperof candlelight, starlight, moonlight, lamplight.On the longest night of the year theheart of darkness pulses and glows,with her blazing embers, scarletberries, exit lights and night lights,blood oranges and red wine, wildroses, henna tattoos, ruby slippers, silverbells, amber beads and tangerines, asaints gilded halo, crimson poppiesand pomegranate seeds. Turn on yourinner light....It's SOULstice time.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Glass is a part of my Christmas tree decorations.A Santa and a teddy bear glisten in the light.Golden glass beads surround the tree.There is a glass pickle somewhere on the tree, but I couldn't find it to show you.You will have to come and find it for yourself and maybe there willbe a prize if you do. A warm cup of tea and a cookie are waiting.

A little Victorian girl is warmed by the light.

Two vintage mercury glass ornaments hang in a special place of honor.

An array of glass balls are waiting to be placed on the tree.Don't you just love the way glass ornaments shine reflecting the light of the celebration and season?

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Aurora Colony is a 30 minute drive from Portland, Oregon.Each year they celebrate Christmas with an interactive walk through the history of the colony.Volunteers play the different parts and guide their guests through the museum by candle light.It had been a long time since I had visited the colony for Christmas and it was a delight recently to walk through history by candle light.German and Swiss emigrants, established and lived in the Aurora Colony, a Christian communal society, from 1856 to 1883. The story they shared on this evening was the preparations fora wedding in the colony at Christmas time.The pageant was fun to visit, but just seeing the museum decorated for Christmas put me into the spirit of the holiday.What do you do that puts you into the spirit of the season?Click on the collage to see the pictures in more detail.

The Christmas tree delights me.Seeing all the beautiful decorations in bloglandhas been fun; so let the holiday beginwith great celebration.The teapot is sitting ready for your visit.A few cookies and peanut brittle are waiting.Come by for holiday celebrating each day over the next week.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Why not start at the end sharing the sweets.There were Dormouse Cookies, Meringue Mushrooms, and Eat Me Red Velvet Cupcakes.

Bread and Butterflies were served.

White Rabbits Tea Sandwiches with carrots and raisins.The Queen of Hearts egg salad sandwiches with just a touch of chili paste.

It is a fun tradition each year as I plan and produce Lily's Christmas Tea.Lily and her family started coming to my home when Lily was 4 years old and now she is 12 years old. I think we have only missed one or two years. It is so much fun to surprise the family with the theme each year. This year I read Alice in Wonderland and made notes.Then I started planning.Of course we would have Orange Marmalade for the scones, this was at the original Mad Hatter Tea Party.Then before the party we had a game of croquet sent from the Queen of Hearts herself. The flamingos didn't always cooperate, but in the end there were two winners.

There was also Cheshire Cat Smile turkey sandwiches and Mushroom Caps too.

The tea of course said Drink Me and plenty of tea was imbibed.

Now you would think that would be the end of it each year, but my women's group thought it sounded like so much fun. They wanted to be included too. So the past three years they have come the night before Lily's family comes for a trial run. Two tea parties in one weekend, what fun! A tea party tradition for sure for the holidays.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Riding up the windy road we arrive at Montserrat on our final afternoon of traveling in Europe.We were hoping for a quiet time of reflection, but what we found was many tourists.Montserrat, the serrated mountain, is a religious pilgrimage for many people to touch the black madonna. It has been an important site for the Catalan people for a thousand years.

Inside the monastery, the black madonna sits in the alcove above the monks.There was such a long line, we didn't climb the stairs to see her up close.

My quiet time was spent here in reflection.

Now it is time to say farewell to Europe.It was a wonderful three weeks of travel.

Some travel tips:1. Pack light, you will have to carry what you bring and buy.2. Take an empty bag for shopping.3. Plan well and be flexible if plans change.4. Smile and enjoy the people you meet, even if you don't speak their language.

I met a little boy of about 3 years old on the train to Barcelona.He was looking out the window saying "mi casa". I repeated "mi casa" and his eyes lite up that I would speak his language.Now it is time to return to "mi casa" (my home).

Monday, December 14, 2009

While traveling in France I walked by this window with lovelyglass jugs and bottles. Thinking about being enamored with glass, I took the picture just for you.We have similar traits to glass:Reflection - We often reflect on our faces the mood of what is happening around us. Are we sad when we visit someone in the hospital or are we happy when we visit the carnival?Fragile -We can break if dropped and our hearts can be broken if hurt.Shaping - Often through tough times or "going through the fire" we are shaped into what we become.Strong - We become stronger through the thickness of our skin.Beauty - We are beautiful no matter the shape.Vessel - We take and hold things in our hearts.And sometimes we are broken, but we can gather the pieces together to make something new and beautiful, such as mosaics.What other comparisons can you think of today?

Friday, December 11, 2009

Do you ever drive by a house all lite up, the windows so brights, andinside people going about life?I often wonder how is their life, it looks so perfect and so pretty.I want to just step inside and be included in that perfect, pretty world.Then I wonder are they just giving that image of perfection,but really have daily trials to bear.From the outside it looks so perfect until we touch the heart and find we are each traveling through life with our hurts, pains, and laughter.Take time to touch the heart of someone near you and share together in love.Happy holidays!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Our final days were spent in Barcelona.We had a small taste of this beautiful city last year and just had to see more.Paris is my favorite city, but Barcelona is a close second.The Gaudi architecture was the main reason we went back to Barcelona, but just experiencing strolling down the La Rambla and through the small surrounding streets was a thrill.The people in Barcelona definitely know how to stroll at all hours of the day and night.We strolled one evening to find wonderful tapas for dinner and the next night was a stroll to find paella for dinner on the water front.There is only one final stop before we left for home, which I will share with you next week.

Recently on another blog I saw Joy in a teacup.I loved the concept and wanted my own picture of Joy.A friend gave me a Christmas cup this past summer, as she was moving and could not take everything with her. The short friendship was a joy and I was thrilled that she would want me to treasure her teacup. She gave me Joy.I also feel Joy as I wrap my hands now around the teacupand Joy comes tumbling out, filling me.What brings you Joy this Christmas season?

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

This year my word was "Create". In thinking of create I began noticing glass. I thought it would be fun to have my next Monday series called, Enamored with Glass.Here I am with the first of the series, at the end there will be a give away.That will take place when I run out of pictures and thoughts on glass.

Glass has a long history.In prehistoric times it was used as a cutting devise.The word glass was developed during the Roman Empire.Glass comes in many forms and colors.

I love the way it reflects the light.You can see above the same glass knob photographedagainst two different colors and it looks like a totallydifferent glass ball.

The abstract glass I made out of scraps of glassthat fused together in the kiln became one woven together.It hangs in my tree outside to entertain the birds or is it entertaining me?I love the varied colors and the reflections of glass.What do you like about glass?Is it the beauty, the color, the function, or the way it reflects the light?

Friday, December 4, 2009

While driving through the Dordogne River region we saw many castles sitting on top of cliffs and hills. Two that were near our hotel were Josephine Baker's Chateau and Castelnaud.Click on the collage to see a more detailed picture.

The center picture was the entrance to Josephine Baker's home.There was a display of her costumes and it had some of her original furniture.Nearby was the chapel where she was married.If you would like to know more about this fascinating woman, visitwww.cmgww.com/stars/baker/The two pictures on the left were also taken of her home.Later in life she lost the home due to financial problems.Grace Kelly and others tried to help her out, but in the end she lost her home and lived until she died in Paris.

Castelnaud was nearby and a very different feel to Josephine Baker's home.It was full of military armament. You can see the catapult's in the above pictures. The top center picture was taken from the castle looking down into the village below.

This is the final day of pictures in France.Next week we will move on to the end of our trip with sights from Barcelona.But Monday I will be starting a new Monday series - Enamored with Glass.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

"Notice what you notice" is something a good friend often says when speaking to groups. I like the thought and have decided from time to time I will share with you things I have noticed.

This week I have noticed:

Mushrooms growing at the Christmas tree farm, so beautiful.The car behind me this morning at a stop light had a woman that was smiling. When I looked in the drivers seat it was full of beautiful poinsettias, they just filled that whole side of the car.And the full moon the past two nights has been spectacular. Have you seen it? Again the beauty just takes my breathe away.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The only picture I have from the inside of a cave in France.Yes, that is me in the middle with the black wind breaker on.

Since reading Jean Auel's book, Clan of the Cave Bear, I have wanted to see the prehistoric caves in France. This was up there close to the top of my list. I wanted to see the cave paintings and feel what it felt to be tucked away living in a cave.It was dark, but it felt safe.

No one is allowed in Lascaux anymore, as the paintings are fading;so they built an exact replica to walk through nearby. All we could see of the original is the forest of trees surrounding it. I wish I could have taken pictures to show you the inside, butthey were not allowed in either cave we visited.

The second cave we visited was the actual cave, called Gouffre de Padirac.Here is the hole in the ground from above. We traveled down many stairs and walked along a walkway and at the bottom of the cave arrived at a river. There were small boats with boatmen to paddle us along the river under the ground to see beautiful stalactites and share some of the history with us. Thankfully our boatman knew some English; so he did the tour in both French and English. Even just hearing in French, it was beautiful. Thankfully, there was an elevator to return to the top. Whew! That would have been some climb.Have any of you been fascinated by caves? Sometimes they can be scary to enter, but these two were a joy to see and I could check one more thing off my list of sights I have dreamt of seeing. What's on your list of sights to see? Dream big and dreams can come true.

Just a note, if any of my travels intrigue you and you start to plan your dream come true adventure, I would love to answer any questions you might have and give you tips on planning a trip. I had so much fun planning this trip and then seeing it actually happen.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Arriving early this morning in Aspen, the carriage picks me up at the airportand we travel just outside Aspen in the country to a beautiful lodge made out of logs.The lodge looks out on a lake with the Rockie Mountains in view.I really don't want to leave to go for tea, but decide to enjoy a casual tea in the lodge.Still wearing my jeans with a red sweater and snugly boots I stroll through the lodgeto find tea.

The lodge is decorated in a festive celebration of color.Red jumps out to greet me throughout the holidays.

The lights on the trees just twinkle.

Tea is waiting surrounded by the beauty of my surroundings here at the lodge.I am wrapped in love like a big woolly blanket.The snow is beginning to fall.In my cup is a lovely Christmas White Tea.Cookies are the perfect accompaniment to teaand the lodge knew that including Cherry Wink Cookieswould be the perfect touch. They were the cookie mymother use to make that were my favorites.At peace, sitting by the fire, watching the snow fall outside the window, and sipping a perfect cup of tea is my dream for each of you this holiday season.Dream of tea in Aspen, but enjoy quiet moments no matterif you are in your jeans, a robe, or a beautiful dress with sparkles.

About Me

Many things bring great delight to me: tea, gardens, flowers, outdoors, food, and friends that cross my path. These all make my heart sing with small chuckles, giggles, laughter, and tears. It is my desire to seek beauty all around me, have the heart of a wanderer, a storyteller.